Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice (Psalm 40:1–17)
1 UST The law{ that God gave through Moses} is not itself one of the wonderful things that God will give to his people. Rather, it only points to those wonderful things. So, even though the people who go closer to God always present offerings year after year, doing so never enables them to be what God wants them to be. BSB BSB: For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
2 UST Suppose that{ those offerings} actually purified the people who worship God.{ In that case,} they would never feel guilty about their sins, and they would stop presenting offerings. BSB BSB: If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.
3 UST But{ here is what is true about those offerings}: they remind people year after year of their sins. BSB BSB: Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,
4 UST { Those offerings can only do that,} because blood from animals that someone sacrificed cannot remove people’ s sins. BSB BSB: because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 UST That is why, when the Messiah came to earth, he spoke{ to his Father},“You did not want{ people to present} offerings. Instead, you made a human body ready for me. BSB BSB: Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me.
6 UST You did not enjoy the sacrifices that people present to take away their sins. BSB BSB: In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.
7 UST So, I spoke{ these words}:‘Here I am! Someone wrote about me in the Scriptures. I will do what you want{ me to do}, my God.’” BSB BSB: Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’”
8 UST Here is what the Messiah said{ to God} first:“You did not want or enjoy the offerings{ that people present} or the sacrifices that people present to take away their sins.” Those offerings and sacrifices are the ones that the Israelites present{ to God} as he required in the laws{ that he gave through Moses}. BSB BSB: In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law).
9 UST Then, the Messiah said this second:“Here I am! I will do what you want{ me to do}.” He abolishes{ what he spoke about} first in order to set up{ what he spoke about} second. BSB BSB: Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second.
10 UST Here is what God wanted: Jesus the Messiah presented his body as an offering one time only, and by that{ offering}, God set us apart for himself. BSB BSB: And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
12 UST In contrast, the Messiah presented a single offering that is always effective in taking away sins. Then, he went to be with God{ the Father}, where he sits{ on the throne} and rules. BSB BSB: But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.
13 UST Right now, he remains{ there} until God defeats all of his enemies. BSB BSB: Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,
14 UST { The Messiah remains there,} because he presented a single offering, by which he always makes the people whom God is setting apart for himself to be what God wants them to be. BSB BSB: because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.
15 UST God’ s Spirit too confirms to us{ that this is true}. Here is what he said first{ in the words that I have already quoted}: BSB BSB: The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:
16 UST “This is the kind of agreement that I will make with them, very soon. Here is what I say: I will enable them to obey and understand my laws.” BSB BSB: “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.”
17 UST Then{, God’ s Spirit said this second in the words I have already quoted}:“I will never again punish them for the sinful and disobedient things that they have done.” BSB BSB: Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
18 UST When God forgives people for the{ sinful and disobedient} things that they have done, no one again presents sacrifices to take away sins. BSB BSB: And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed.
A Call to Persevere (Jude 1:17–23)
20 UST Jesus established that new and effective way for us, which passes through the cloth hanging{ into the Most Holy Place}. This{ cloth hanging figuratively} represents Jesus{ while he lived} on earth. BSB BSB: by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,
21 UST Further,{ the Messiah is} a ruling priest{ who} works for us, God’ s people. BSB BSB: and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 UST { Because those things are true,} we should go closer{ to God}, completely serving him and fully believing in him now that he has purified us on the inside and on the outside so that we no longer feel guilty about evil things{ that we have done}. BSB BSB: let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
25 UST { We can do that by} always continuing to gather together{ to worship God} and encouraging each other, even though some people often do not{ do this}. Since we know that Jesus is coming back soon, we should be very eager to do those things. BSB BSB: Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 UST { We should do all those things,} because whenever we intentionally and habitually sin once we have completely understood the true{ message about Christ}, no one can present any offering that will take away our sins. BSB BSB: If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,
27 UST { If we did go on sinning}, all we could do is fearfully wait for God to declare us guilty and, soon after, forcefully punish us as his enemies,{ which would be like} flames burning us up. BSB BSB: but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.
28 UST The Israelites would kill any person who completely stopped obeying the laws that God gave through Moses, as long as at least two or three people confirmed that the person had done that. They would not be merciful to that person. BSB BSB: Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29 UST But now consider people who shame God’ s Son. They treat his blood as if it were ordinary, even though God used that blood to make his covenant and set them apart for himself. They make fun of God’ s Spirit, who acts graciously. God will rightly punish those people more than{ he punished anyone who completely stopped obeying the laws that God gave through Moses}. BSB BSB: How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 UST { We know that is true,} because we have encountered God, who spoke,“I am the one who will punish people when they act against me. I will do so in a way that they deserve.” Further,{ he} also{ spoke},“I, the Lord, will decide whether my people are guilty or innocent.” BSB BSB: For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
31 UST Those who deserve the only real God to punish them should be afraid! BSB BSB: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 UST On the other hand, I want you to think about what it was like when you first learned about the good news. During that time, you continued{ to trust God} while you firmly withstood what you suffered. BSB BSB: Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering.
33 UST In some cases, people publicly insulted and hurt you. In other cases, you helped other people who experienced those same things. BSB BSB: Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated.
34 UST More specifically, you acted compassionately toward those in jail. Also, you rejoiced even when people took away what you owned.{ You did that} because you recognized that God has something greater and more lasting for you. BSB BSB: You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.
35 UST Therefore, continue to be confident{ that God will do what he has promised}. God greatly rewards those who are confident in this way. BSB BSB: So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.
36 UST As you can see, you need to continue{ to trust God}. That way, once you have done what God desires, you will receive what he has promised{ to give to you}. BSB BSB: You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
37 UST Here is what a prophet wrote:“Very soon, the person who is going to arrive will arrive. He will not wait a long time. BSB BSB: For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.
38 UST Further, those who serve me righteously will trust{ in me} while they are alive. But suppose they stop{ trusting in me}. Then, they will not please me.” BSB BSB: But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
39 UST However, we are not those who stop{ trusting in God}, whom he will destroy. Rather, we are those who trust{ in God}, so he saves us. BSB BSB: But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.